Mallika Sherawat (Murder), Bipasha Basu (Jism) and Neha Dhupia’s (Julie) smoochfests may have led to kissing in Hindi films becoming common, but the voluptuous Ayesha Takia refuses to toe the line.
Takia was the first choice to star opposite Uday Chopra — her role finally went to Kajol’s younger sister Tanisha — in Yash Raj Films’ Neal ‘N’ Nikki, scheduled to release on December 9; but Takia declined the offer.
When contacted, Ayesha tells hitList, “Yes, I refused Neal ‘N’ Nikki.
Yash Raj Films called me and I was very excited that I would be doing something with a top production house. But when I heard that the role required me to lock lips and expose a lot of cleavage, I politely
told them that I won’t be able to go ahead.�
Dress code
Was she told there would be 21 kisses in the film? “As far as I remember, I was told that there are three kisses in the film. But three were enough to send me packing,� says the actress, who wasted no time. “I immediately told them that I wouldn’t be able to go ahead with the requirements of the script. I will never latkao anyone. I am very clear about my priorities.� What are her priorities? “I will always have a certain code of dressing, and won’t cross the line.�
No crossing!
Does this mean she would have refused even one kiss? “Yes, I would not have done the film even then. I want to do films which I can watch with my family, without getting embarrassed.�
But she does wear glamorous clothes in films, doesn’t she? “Of course I wear glamorous outfits. I know I am living in 2005, but I will not expose and do things that Neal ‘N’ Nikki required me to do. What I am trying to explain will be clear once the film releases.�
Was it tough to refuse the Chopras? “I want to enjoy every film I do and give the producer 100 per cent. How can I give justice to a role if I am conscious on the sets?
Frankly, it was not a tough decision. But yes, I am very keen to work with them again. Yash Raj Films is a very professional production house, and I am sure they understood that Neal ‘N’ Nikki was simply a case of not reaching a common point.�
